Title: An Unexpected Magick
Series: Draegan Lords 03.5 – A Draegan Lords Interlude – Wen & Wesley 01
Author: M.L. Rhodes
Genre: Fantasy World
Length: Novella (128pgs)
Publisher: Amber Allure (17th March 2013)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Pixie
Blurb: Having lived his entire life under the veil of the high sorcerer’s repression, Wen Daneson grew up with a sword in his hand. Now, at twenty-eight, he’s already earned the rank of second lieutenant in the draegan lord’s guard and been granted the privilege of sitting on the lord’s council of advisors. In spite of his achievements, he’s made a point of keeping his distance from personal relationships. He’s seen too many people develop close bonds and share their hearts, only to have everything torn apart with one slash of a sword. Which is why his attraction to the human Wesley Brannock unsettles him so much. There’s something different about Wesley. Wen doesn’t want to care about the younger man, but when he’s tasked with training the inexperienced yet naturally talented Wesley for a position in the guard, being around him stirs powerful emotions he can’t understand.
Wesley grew up living in secluded villages, learning at a young age to hide from prying eyes and keep to himself. Having spent most of his formative years with little company, when the settlement where he lives is attacked by the sorcerer’s soldiers, he’s frustrated that he doesn’t have the skills to fight back. The draegans who come to their aide encourage the residents to relocate to the draegan camp, and when they do, a new world opens to Wesley. He’s determined not only to learn how to protect himself but to join the draegan lord’s guard and be part of something that matters. But when he’s paired with the passionately intense Lieutenant Daneson, he begins to doubt whether he’s suited for the guard at all. Not only does the lieutenant push him hard while never letting him close, keeping Wesley constantly torn over his feelings for the man, being around so many people after years of isolation makes it hard to keep the secret he’s spent his whole life protecting.
On the eve of war, the two young men have to decide if facing their secret fears will destroy them or give them unexpected strength to face the coming darkness.
Purchase Link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/UnexpectedMagick.html
Review: This story is linked to a series and chronologically, takes place concurrently with Lords of Kellesborne. Wen is second lieutenant in the draeganjhere (the draegan lord’s guard) and has learned to protect his heart from harm, having seen too much love torn apart by a sword or an arrow. When Wesley catches his eye, Wen is hiding from the sorcerer’s soldiers. His mother has taught him from a young age to protect his secret, but when they settle into the draegan’s camp and he has a fierce attraction to Wen. He finds it harder and harder to hide the secret and he has to decide if he can face rejection from the one he has come to love.
Whoop! *dances* Finally, after six thousand years (okay, a slight exaggeration) we are getting a taste of the Draegan’s again. Do I care that it is Wen and Wesley? Hell. No! Wen and Wesley caught our attention in Fires of Ballian and we can now discover how they got together. Wen has fought against the sorcerer for as long as he can remember. Now, a second lieutenant for the Draegan Lords, he is training those who wish to learn to fight. Wen tries his best to protect his heart from loss by keeping relationships at arm’s-length, but Wesley sneaks into his heart. Wesley doesn’t know what he has done that Wen would now hold him at arm’s-length and a confrontation has both of them admitting the truth of their feelings. But, Wesley still has a secret and he fears how Wen will react. But, danger finds them and Wesley has no choice, but to trust in his instincts.
This is a wonderful visit to the world of Velensperia and the Dreagan’s who are fighting for freedom. This story is centered on the developing relationship of Wen and Wesley. Although, we do see brief glimpses of Gaige and Kieran, they are very much in the background. Wen and Wesley are brilliant characters. Wen the seasoned warrior at only twenty-eight and Wesley, the eager trainee, desperately determined to be a fighter and protector. Each of them cautious about relationships, but for very different reasons. The development of the relationship is good; it is well written and isn’t rushed into. But, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have scorching sex, because they do. Oh, boy do they! I loved how this story is woven into parts of Lords of Kellesborne keeping the strands in place, but being independent so we never lose focus of whom the stars of the book are. The danger is well placed and gets the blood pumping and Wesley gets a shock, while Wen is a lot more accepting than Wesley feared.
I have to recommend this to those Dreagan Lords fans who have been panting for more. To those who love fantasy worlds, danger, excitement, hot sex, love and a happy for now ending. Also, as a side note, I am keeping my fingers crossed for this summer and hopefully the appearance of Circle of Ariend and a second Wen and Wesley interlude.